Almost half of the apartments at Lend Lease's Potato Wharf development in Castlefield have sold ahead of completion.

Out of 102 one- and two-bedroom apartments, 40 have sold in the last four weeks with prices ranging from £125,000 to £200,000. Residents will move in once the scheme has completed in spring 2015.

Construction at the site began in November 2013. Once complete Lend Lease will have developed 1,500 units in Manchester.

The residential team at property consultant JLL is marketing the scheme.

Louise Emmott, associate director of residential at JLL, said: "Demand in Manchester city centre shows little sign of relaxing and this is driving a resurgence in off-plan sales for well-priced, quality space under development.

"The draw of city-centre living is changing the occupier market in Manchester. The traditional profile of someone living in the city centre used to be a single person under the age of 35 however we're now seeing the largest growth from the over 35s and families. People are staying in the centre for longer instead of moving to the suburbs and this is driving demand in the market."